Uganda names Africa Rugby squad

By Johnson Were 

RUGBY AFRICA CUP 1B  

Pool A: Uganda, Madagascar, Senegal,   
Pool B: I. Coast, Mauritius, Botswana  

Tournament fixtures   

July 5   

Madagascar v Botswana  
Uganda v Ivory Coast  
Mauritius v Senegal
 
Rugby Cranes coach John Duncan on Tuesday evening named his 24-man squad to represent Uganda in the Africa Rugby Tier 1B tournament that Kick-off on Sunday at Kyadondo Rugby Club.

Duncan, after announcing the squad, counseled the players who had not made the cut giving them a word of encouragement.

Ronald Adigas in red (L) talks to Martial Tchumkam (R) in yellow. Adigas did not also meet the cut. He was dropped together with scrum half Faizal Gama (extreme Left) with the ball. PHOTO/Johnson Were

Assistant Robert Sseguya said all the players were good and gave in their best but they had to trim to the final 24 required by the organisers.

"We have named the squad according to merit; all the boys are good but we had to name the required 24 players," he said.

New entrants on the squad are Centre James Ijongat, Prop Dennis Mugambe who both missed out on the Elgon Cup.

Uganda's speedster, winger Justin Kimono, who officially announced his arrival on the national scene in the same tournament in Kampala in 2011, bounces back on the squad after serving his two-week suspension that led him to missing the second leg of the Elgon Cup.

Forwards Collin Kimbowa, Ronald Adigas and Eric Kasita were dropped.

The squad:

Gerald Ssewankambo, Michael Wokorach (VC), Cyrus Watum, Charles Uhuru, Lawrence Ssebuliba, Davis Kiwalabye, Kevin Makmot, Brian Odongo, Pius Ogena, Scot Oluoch, James Odongo, Alfred Bijik, Chris Lubanga, Martial Tchumcam and Joseph Aredo.

Others are John Wandicho, Alex Mubiru, Ronald Musajja, Arthur Mpande, Asuman Mugerwa, Justin Kimono, James Ijongat and Denis Mugambe.

Officials:

John Duncan (Coach), Robert Sseguya (assistant) Anthony Kinene (Assistant), Brian Tabaruka (Team manager) Benjamin Noah (Physiotherapist), Joseph Kalanzi (Doctor) and Herbert Wafula, technical advisor.

The Rugby Cranes will battle Ivory Coast on Sunday, Botswana on Wednesday and Mauritius on Saturday.
 
The team which collects the highest points in this tournament will be promoted to Rugby Africa Tier 1A next year.